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My mother has been Taking uloric for about 4 years now for her Gout. Her insurance stopped covering the name brand of the Drug and wants to switch her over to the Generic which was approved back in July.
Shes not comfortable taking the generic version as the name brand one has worked well and is nervous about it. Would there be a way to discuss this with her doctor and for them to discuss it with the insurance on keeping her on the name brand version for piece of mind? Or do you think the insurance is prob going to hold firm on the generic?
I know Generic drugs by law are required to work the same as the original but I have heard stories not all do. Even thought I have no problem with her taking it shes the one taking it so I'm trying to accommodate her in that respect.
The insurance company is going to hold firm on the generic and it might or might not be the same. She can only try it. Sometimes the company will come out with another version, like extended release or something and pretend it's new so they can milk the brand name a little more. She should talk to her doctor about it all and see what they recommend, depending on how it goes.
I guess I can understand the insurance companies position that if theirs a cheaper alternative to the name brand they would rather go for that one. Its just difficult for her to adjust because the uloric is pretty much the only drug that has worked for her for that issue.
The company that manufactures the generic is alembic pharmaceuticals based in India not sure how reputable they are have any of you been prescribed meds from that drug company?
Just have her doctor write dispense as written on the script and they have to do the name brand. It could be a bit of any insurance battle and may cost more but is worth a shot. I recently switched to the new generic for lyrica and my doctor asked if it worked as well or if I wanted her to do a dispense as written on it. I
Just have her doctor write dispense as written on the script and they have to do the name brand. It could be a bit of any insurance battle and may cost more but is worth a shot. I recently switched to the new generic for lyrica and my doctor asked if it worked as well or if I wanted her to do a dispense as written on it. I
^ This
You can absolutely request the next prescription for Uloric be written Dispense as Written....its just a box to tick labeled DAW
Your mother will have to pay more for it than the generic but otherwise shouldn't be an issue.
I usually will try the generic first, as instructed...but then I just have the doctor write a Prior Authorization saying the brand is the only one that will work for me.
Never had a problem.
I prefer all my drugs to be brand, except for one.
Generics are def. not the same as brand, imo.
You can absolutely request the next prescription for Uloric be written Dispense as Written....its just a box to tick labeled DAW
Your mother will have to pay more for it than the generic but otherwise shouldn't be an issue.
There is no guarantee the insurance will now cover the brand. It's not uncommon for coverage for brands to cease once a generic is available. If covered, many will require a PA and/or be placed in the highest tier.
I believe there are two generic manufacturers; Alembic and Mylan. Sun also has it approved but they will have to wait until January or so.
There have been some interesting studies studying the psychological effect of brand versus generic. In short, people think the more expensive something is, the better it is.
Not to sound ignorant or anything with the drug being produced in India do they follow the same strict FDA standards they do here at home?
Meaning who inspects the factory for quality control? do regulators here in the U.S inspect the drugs to make sure they are formulated like uloric not harmful etc?
I've just seen too many reports lately on the news with tainted generics such as the blood pressure meds generic Zantac etc.
There have been some interesting studies studying the psychological effect of brand versus generic. In short, people think the more expensive something is, the better it is.
Bingo!
Another thought on generic vs brand. When a brand product finally goes generic, the original manufacturer enters into an agreement with one or two generic manufacturers to buy existing stock. Many times the generics hit the market with the original markings on the tablets and capsules. Patients who say that the more expensive product "worked better" were actually taking the brand med, but the placebo effect played into their thought process.
Fifty years ago when I started to practice, it was the general feeling that generics were the devil's gift to mankind! As time moved on that opinion has drastically changed.
If a generic is available, I will always take the generic over the brand. I pick and chose which generic company I use. I won't take meds made in China. The same is true for my family.
Why pay more for the same thing!
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